The Best Performances from Day 1 of the Playoffs

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Arkansas high school girls' basketball playoffs started yesterday and will continue all week. There were some fantastic games in each classification, with great players leaving it all out on the floor. Here are the best performances that I saw in the first batch of playoff games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1186507"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e671"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1186507' first='E'Marriha' last='Johnson'] has been impressive in her first season with Greene County Tech, averaging 15.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 2.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game during the regular season. Johnson carries over that success into the postseason after GCT's first round matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Johnson had 20 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals against Sheridan. Greene County Tech defeated the Lady Yellowjackets 66-34, and in this victory, Johnson surpassed 1,000 career points. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>When [player_tooltip player_id='1186507' first='E'Marriha' last='Johnson'] has a lane to the basket, she is one dangerous person to try to stop. The same goes for if she has her back to the basket, as she can turn and shoot over any defender. GCT will play the winner of Beebe and Greenwood, which takes place tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1253985' first='Addie' last='Ryan']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'3u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Greene County Tech","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e729"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1253985' first='Addie' last='Ryan'] only averaged 5.7 points during the regular season, but she was a nice spark for Greene County Tech in their first round win over Sheridan.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The sophomore guard, who is a major outside shooting threat scored 17 points last night. The 36% 3-point shooter showed just how dangerous of an offensive player she can be, as she uses a quick release on her shot.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1253985' first='Addie' last='Ryan'] having a great game in the playoffs is a very good sign for GCT. Every team needs that one player who can come alive in the playoffs when everyone least expects it, but if you know GCT basketball, you knew this would happen sooner or later.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465514"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e77c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='465514' first='Jakyra' last='Jackson'] having a great game is not a surprise. I talked about her in an article yesterday, where I mentioned just how dangerous this senior guard can be.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Jackson put up 30 points in Barton's big win over Ouachita. Her first round performance is one of many 30-point performances she has had in her career, which includes this season. Her ability to shoot from beyond the arch and to create her own shot separates herself from other guards in her class. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='465514' first='Jakyra' last='Jackson'] is just about unstoppable with the ball in her hands. Ouachita learned that the hard way and the winner of the Riverside and Alpena will probably learn that as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465496"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e7bd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Despite Lamar being a 1-seed, they had a tough first round matchup against 4-seed Bergman, who were the reigning 3A state champs. Lamar prevailed thanks to the great play of their star, [player_tooltip player_id='465496' first='Kori' last='Sanders'].</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Sanders scored 23 points while shooting 10/10 from the free throw line. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bergman could not stop Sanders' drives to the basket, so they were forced to foul her. When Sanders sees an open lane to the basket, there are not many players who can stop her, but she can also step back and burn the defense with her fantastic shooting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I think [player_tooltip player_id='465496' first='Kori' last='Sanders'] will be a star for Harding University, but for now, she will be one of the stars of the 3A playoff.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1060807"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e7ff"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060807' first='Da'Mya' last='Wilson'] combined with her star teammate, [player_tooltip player_id='465514' first='Jakyra' last='Jackson'], for 63 of Barton's 87 points. Wilson barely outscored her backcourt teammate, but she showed to everyone that this Barton team will be dominant even after this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The junior guard put up 33 points in the first round victory, hitting shots from inside and out. Because of her offensive prowess, she was being doubled, so she would then find an open teammate and hit them with a perfect pass.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1060807' first='Da'Mya' last='Wilson'] is another player who is extremely dangerous with the ball in her hands. Whoever plays against Barton in the second round needs to go ahead and start gameplanning tonight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1091129"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e83b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nettleton is the first team to pull of a major upset in the postseason, as they entered the playoffs as a 4-seed and Hot Springs Lakeside entered as a 1-seed. Nettleton kept Lakeside from getting going all night, coming away with the 67-46 win. [player_tooltip player_id='1091129' first='Jessica' last='Cullins'] was part of that incredible performance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The senior guard recorded a double-double in the first round, logging 16 points and 11 rebounds. She also added 4 assists and 2 steals to her nightly total. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Cullins is a fantastic finisher inside and she creates a lot of separation with her elite ball-handling. Falling on your backside from a Cullins crossover is not uncommon, nor is Cullins scoring through traffic. Her rebounding was incredible as well, crashing the glass and immediately starting the break.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Nettleton shocked Lakeside, as well as everyone else in the 5A classification. Just like that, the Lady Raiders, who entered the postseason with a 5-5 conference record, have drastically improved their title chances. I would keep my eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1091129' first='Jessica' last='Cullins'] as she will be an x-factor in the second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["876339"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e877"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='876339' first='Kenzie' last='McCrotty'] averaged 16.4 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 2.3 steals per game during the regular season. She solidifyed herself as one of the best players in the 2026 class and in 3A. Last night, she surpassed her scoring average in the first round against Centerpoint.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>McCrotty put up 20 points in the first game of the playoffs, shooting 66% from the field. McCrotty is a solid outside shooter, but she did a fair amount of damage inside. If the junior was not able to finish through traffic, she was probably getting fouled, as she shot 6/7 from the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dover is a title favorite thanks to [player_tooltip player_id='876339' first='Kenzie' last='McCrotty']'s great play in this first round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["465508"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67c7d8942e8ae"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='465508' first='Rayleigh' last='Turner'] continues to impress me with her play, adding more evidence as to why she is one of the best players the 1A classification has to offer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Turner and 4-seed Rural Special pulled out a tough win against 1-seed Wonderview in the first round. Wonderview was a 1A title contender, and after Turner's incredible 26-point performance, Rural Special's odds have improved.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It was clear that the opposition could not stop Turner. She can easily get going from beyond the arch, using a quick release and possessing unlimited range. On the fastbreak, Turner will finish through any contact that comes her way. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='465508' first='Rayleigh' last='Turner'] has some great help behind her, but if Rural Special wants to shock everyone and make it to the 1A state title game, it needs to be done through their senior star.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/syniah-coachman/">[player_tooltip player_id='593261' first='Syniah' last='Coachman']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/payton-caudle/">[player_tooltip player_id='1090910' first='Payton' last='Caudle']</a>, <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/whitney-brown-2/">[player_tooltip player_id='870000' first='Whitney' last='Brown']</a>- Fayetteville defeated Cabot last night thanks to great contributions from three of their guards. Coachman, Caudle, and Brown combined for 37 of Fayetteville's 69 points in their first round win. The Lady Bulldogs are only a 4-seed, but they proved that they are a very dangerous team, especially through the comradery of these three increidble players.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The playoffs are going to keep on, with more games later today. Make sure you get out to any of the 6 locations where games are being held or watch the livestreams from home.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->